Thank you for correcting the text in this article. Your corrections improve Papers Past searches for everyone. See the latest corrections.

This article contains searchable text which was automatically generated and may contain errors. Join the community and correct any errors you spot to help us improve Papers Past.

Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE AND OCTAGON The wonderful popularity achieved at Ihe Empire and Octagon Theatres by ‘Ben Hur’ remains unabated. Last evening there were packed houses at both theatres to witness the screening of this remarkable spectacle, which bids fair to eclipse any season records previously established. Planned on a trulv stupendous scale, this big Metro-Gofdwyn-Mayer spectacle has certainly set a new standard in picture production. The great chariot race, the sea fight, and the Nativity scenes are particularly well handled. The latter scenes, and also the various episodes from the life of Christ, are handled with delicacy and in commendable taste. The story begins with the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem and. the guidance of Mary and Joseph to the cave of David when the innkeeper is unable to accomodate them. Twenty years then pass,. and the story continues with the confinement ot Judah, prince of the House of Hur, to the galleys, through the treachery ot Messala, the Roman centurion. Later, when he has regained his freedom and is the adopted son of Arrius, commander of the Roman fleet, ho again meets Messala, and by defeating him in the thrilling chariot lace brings about Ins ruin. As Judah Ben Hur, Ramon Hovarro lias one of the best roles of his career, one which gives him every opportunity and which he takes full advantage of. May Al'Avoy makes a beautiful and very' wistful Esther, daughter of Simonides, and with whom Ben Hur is in love, while Betty Bronson presents a beautiful and dignified study of the Madonna. Francis X. Bushman is cast as Messala, the haughty, arrogant Roman, and is responsible for a magnificent characterisation.

The orchestras of each theatre ccmjiribute largely to the success obtained.

QUEEN'S Francis M'Donald, a new interpreter 6f romantic roles, is tho star in ‘ The Valley of Hell,’ now showing at tho Queen’s Theatre. Ho is supported by Edna Murphy in the leading feminine role, together with a cast of wellknown players. ‘ Silence/ a new underworld photo-play, which is the second feature, has for the of its early scenes tho toughest section of New York’s East Side. It is a picturisation of a brilliant stage success, and features Vera Reynolds, H. B. Warner, and other notable screen players. The story is said_ to be unusually dramatic and thrilling. The new bill to be presented to-mor-row promises to be a good one. The cliief attraction is ‘Hills of Kentucky/ a romance of the log cabin schoolhouse, which features Rin-Tin-Tin in tho starring role. ‘Three Miles Up/ > tb-> second attraction, features A 1 M ilson in tome thrilling air stunts. EVERYBODY'S Corinne Griffith plays another brilliant role in ‘ Into Her Kingdom/ one of the features at Everybody’s Theatre. The story is built around the tragic life ot Grand Duchess Tatiana, and tho scone represents the Imperial Palace of the late Tsar Nicholas in all its splendor. 1 Bobbed Hair/ an entertaining and exciting p' i-play produced by Warner Bros., is the second feature. The brilliant cast is headed by Marie Prevost, Kenneth Harlan, and Louise Fazenda. The gtory is a rollicking tale of adventure and romance, with Westchester County and Long Island as its locale. * Braveheart,’ with Rod La Rocquo and Lillian Rich, and 1 TheDemi-Bride/ featuring Norma Shearer, are the features to be shown to-morrow. The first picture is an epical romance of tho American Indian—a vital human storv bf the North-west; while the second is h farcical French romance. GRAND AND PLAZA 4 ln God’s Own Country/ the chief feature at the Plaza and Grand Theatres, James Oliver Curwood has served up a story which is an intensely dramatic tale of tho snow country, whirlwind in action, and arousing in femotional power. This is a remarkable production, and has an excellent cast. Renee Adoree is charming and wistful in tho starring role. Supporting her are Robert Frazer, Walter Long, Mitchell Lewis, Adolph Millar, and James Mason. Sparkling youth, the bright lights of Broadway, love among the beauty shops, and the steadfast determination bf a woman to find love are the chief ingredients of ‘ Slaves of Beauty/ tho (supporting feature. Holmes Herbert and Olivo Tell have the leading roles. Patrons are assured of an unusually bright programme to-morrow. Reginald Denny will be featured in ‘What Happened to Jones/ which is said to provide screamingly fimny entertainment; and Buck Jones is featured on Ihe same bill in ‘ Hills of Peril.’ KING EDWARD ‘lnto Her Kingdom/ now being screened at the King Edward, unfolds a tale of Court life in Russia before the days of the Revolution. Corinne Griffith, known as one of the screen’s most emotional actresses, is in the stellar role, and it is said that this is her best effort. ‘ Silence ’is the second feature, a story of the .underworld, with Vera Reynolds and Raymond Hatton fn featured parts.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19280216.2.18

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Evening Star, Issue 19792, 16 February 1928, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
806

PICTURE THEATRES Evening Star, Issue 19792, 16 February 1928, Page 4

PICTURE THEATRES Evening Star, Issue 19792, 16 February 1928, Page 4

Help

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert